Teachers Prioritize Emotional Health for Student Workers

Teachers know something important about preparing students for work life: a paycheck isn't everything.

Researchers at Rutgers School of Public Health discovered that educators supervising student workers prioritize emotional and social wellness above all other factors. The study tracked 67 teachers across New Jersey as they completed training on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness model, which includes emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual health.

When teachers evaluated real student workplace scenarios, they consistently highlighted emotional support and social connection as the most critical elements for young workers' success. This focus on mental health represents a significant shift from traditional workplace safety training that concentrates mainly on physical hazards.

"The results revealed that wellness is multifaceted and interconnected," said Maryanne Campbell, assistant director of the New Jersey Safe Schools Program who led the research. Teachers could distinguish between different workplace factors, but they kept returning to the importance of emotional stability and positive social environments for their students.

The study ran from February to November 2024 and addressed a major gap in occupational health research. Few studies have explored how educators think about wellness when preparing young people for real jobs.

The Ripple Effect

This research arrives at a crucial time for American education. Teacher burnout has reached crisis levels nationwide, and students report unprecedented rates of anxiety and depression.

The wellness framework helped teachers consider not just student wellbeing, but their own professional health too. "It is important for schools to prioritize the wellness of teachers and educational support professionals," Campbell explained. The goal is creating environments where educators can thrive while supporting students.

Schools using this training model reported that it strengthened their entire support system. When teachers learned to identify eight dimensions of wellness in student workplace scenarios, they gained tools to recognize these factors in their own professional lives.

The approach broadens the conversation beyond traditional mental health interventions. Physical health matters, but so do meaningful work, financial security, intellectual growth and spiritual purpose.

Researchers recommend expanding this pilot program to include demographic data, pre and post assessments, and long-term tracking of student outcomes. Derek Shendell, director of the New Jersey Safe Schools Program and senior author of the study, called the project an example of interdisciplinary collaboration with "broad potential" for schools nationwide.

The research suggests that when adults model holistic wellness thinking, young workers learn to value their whole selves in the workplace, not just their productivity.